East Braves: Albie Lopez, penciled in as the No. 5...

March 22, 2002

East

Braves: Albie Lopez, penciled in as the No. 5 starter, allowed just one run in six innings as Atlanta defeated Toronto 4-1 in Kissimmee, Fla. . . . Second baseman Marcus Giles could miss a week after undergoing minor surgery.

Expos: Vladimir Guerrero hit a grand slam off Ryan Rupe in a 4-3 win over Tampa Bay in Jupiter, Fla.

Central

Pirates: The Pirates have had two instances of public griping this week, and manager Lloyd McClendon isn't happy. On Monday, outfielder Derek Bell said he was going on "Operation Shutdown" after being told he had to compete for the starter's job in right field. Now right-hander Pat Rapp says he is upset about how he has been used during the exhibition season. He said his 8.71 spring ERA is due to insufficient playing time. "Usually, people who make excuses are losers,"McClendon said. Bell has since backed down. But he probably won't play for two weeks after an MRI exam Thursday revealed a strained groin. . . . Jack Wilson had three hits, including a go-ahead single, in a 5-4 win over Philadelphia in Bradenton, Fla.

Astros: Jeff Bagwell, who had surgery on his right shoulder over the winter, homered twice to lead Houston to a 5-3 victory over Cleveland.

Reds: Ken Griffey Jr. was a late scratch before Thursday's 6-5 loss to Baltimore due to a sore knee.

West

Diamondbacks: Luis Gonzalez, who had 57 home runs last season, homered for the fifth straight game as Arizona beat San Francisco 4-3 in Tucson, Ariz.

Giants: There is "mounting evidence from eyewitnesses" that second baseman Jeff Kent broke his wrist falling off a motorcycle, not while washing his truck as he claims, general manager Brian Sabean said. Language in Kent's contract bans certain activities, including motorcycle riding, meaning the Giants could try to void the contract or fine him. Kent was unavailable for comment Thursday.

Rockies: Denny Neagle extended his spring run of consecutive scoreless innings to 10 before giving up a three-run homer to Troy Glaus in a 7-3 victory over Anaheim in Tempe, Ariz. Neagle's string of 38 straight innings without allowing a walk ended when he walked Tim Salmon in the first inning.

Padres: At Peoria, Ariz., Adan Amezcua hit a game-tying home run in the eighth inning, then singled home the game-winner in the ninth as San Diego beat Milwaukee 7-6.